U.S. patent number 4,099,722 [Application Number 05/600,209] was granted by the patent office on 1978-07-11 for electronic slot machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Centronics Data Computer Corp.. Invention is credited to George E. Johnson, Dale F. Rodesch.
United States Patent |
4,099,722 |
Rodesch , et al. |
July 11, 1978 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Electronic slot machine
Abstract
An electronic slot machine employing solid state circuitry of
modular design, simplifying maintenance to the tasks of module
replacement, changing lamps and possibly clearing a coin jam. A
coin detector creates a jam condition upon any malfunction during
coin insertion. A high frequency clock drives a multistage counter
which is decoupled from the clock either upon insertion of the
proper number of coins (in an automatic machine) or upon the
operation of the conventional operating handle which is activated
by coin entry. A stepping motor steps the reels, having a plurality
of symbols, while stepping the count in the counter to zero, which
count deenergizes the stepping motors. Three-bit binary codes are
generated representing the reel symbols in the final output
position for any type of machine from three symbol center line to
five line criss-cross models. Logical gates decode the symbol
combination indicating a payout (if any) and size of payout which
is stored in counter means stepped downwardly as coins are
dispensed. Test routines and security and function evaluation
(SAFE) circuitry are provided to assure proper operation and to
positively identify the malfunction, which is presented on a visual
display. Malfunctions or security breaches are checked and lock the
machine and flash a malfunction lamp, the malfunctions being
isolated and identified by visual display. Machine identification
number, coin quantities, payouts and malfunctions are stored and
polled by computer which extracts machine status, security breach,
malfunction, security breach, coin handle, coin drop and other coin
flow data.
Inventors: |
Rodesch; Dale F. (Las Vegas,
NV), Johnson; George E. (Las Vegas, NV) |
Assignee: |
Centronics Data Computer Corp.
(Hudson, NH)
|
Family
ID: |
24402729 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/600,209 |
Filed: |
July 30, 1975 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/143R;
194/346; 340/635 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/32 (20130101); G07F 17/3234 (20130101); G07F
17/3241 (20130101); G07F 17/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
17/34 (20060101); G07F 17/32 (20060101); A63F
005/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;194/1M,1N,1E,1G,97R,102,DIG.1
;273/1E,138A,139,143R,143B,143C,DIG.28,85R ;235/92GA,92CN,92EA
;340/323R,324AD,172.5 ;364/200,900 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
962,770 |
|
Feb 1975 |
|
CA |
|
1,252,259 |
|
Nov 1971 |
|
GB |
|
1,178,302 |
|
Jan 1970 |
|
GB |
|
1,107,552 |
|
Mar 1968 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Hum; Vance Y.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Weinstein; Louis
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for stepping a movable display means to one of N
possible positions in a random fashion comprising:
multi-stage counter means;
free-running high frequency and low frequency generating means;
selection means for initiating a selection operation signal;
gate means;
bistable circuit means having set and reset states being normally
in said set state and responsive to said selection signal to be
reset;
first gating means responsive to said bistable circuit means for
coupling said high frequency generating means to said counter means
only when said bistable circuit means is in the set state to cause
said counter means to be repeatedly stepped through its maximum
capacity at an extremely high rate, and to disconnect said high
frequency generator means from said counter means when said
bistable circuit means is reset whereby the count then in said
counter determines the final positon of the display means;
means for driving said display means in a stepwise manner;
second gating means for coupling said low frequency generating
means to said stepping means when said bistable means is reset;
sensing means responsive to movement of said display means for
generating pulses;
third gating means for coupling the output of said sensing means
responsive to the stepping of said counter means from the count
presently in the counter means to a predetermined count to disable
said second gating means to stop said display means at the position
related to the count stored in said counter when said first gating
means was disabled.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising delay means
triggered by said selection signal to prevent said bistable means
from being reset until a predetermined delay period has
expired.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a coin slot;
means responsive to deposit of a coin in said coin slot for
incrementing a counter;
means responsive to a count in said counter greater than zero for
activating said selection means.
4. Apparatus, comprising:
a plurality (K) of rotatable display means each having a plurality
(N) of symbols around their peripheries;
a plurality (K) of means for incrementally stepping each of said
display means;
a plurality (K) of counter means associated with each display means
and arranged in tandem fashion;
a plurality (K) of bistable means each being coupled to the output
of an associated counter means and each having set and reset
states;
selection means operable for generating a selection signal to reset
all of said bistable means;
a free-running high frequency signal generator;
a plurality (K) of gate means wherein a first one of said gate
means couples the output of said signal generator to a first one of
the counter means and the remaining (K-1) gate means couples the
output of each counter means to the input of the next counter means
only when the bistable means associated with each counter means is
in the set state;
a low frequency signal generator;
means responsive to bistable means being reset by said selection
signal for enabling said stepping means to be operated by said low
frequency signal generator;
a plurality (K) of means for sensing the movement of each of their
associated display means and for generating stepping pulses;
a second plurality of K gate means for coupling said stepping
pulses from their sensing means to their associated counter means
only when their associated bistable means have been reset;
said bistable means being set by their associated counters reachig
a count of zero to disable said second plurality of gate means and
thereby terminate stepping of said stepping means to stop said
display means.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a plurality (K) of
delay means each being triggered by said selection signal to
prevent their associated bistable means from being set until the
termination of the delay period of each delay means.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said movement sensing
means comprises lamp means;
a plurality of openings provided at spaced intervals about said
display means;
sensing means for sensing the passage of light through each opening
to generate stepping pulses.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said display means is
provided with a plurality of symbols arranged at spaced
intervals;
a coded pattern associated with each symbol;
means for sensing each coded pattern to convert the sensed coded
pattern into binary signals representing the sensed code;
means responsive to the termination of rotation of all of said
display means for decoding the binary signals of all K display
means to determine the symbols in the display position;
means responsive to the decoding means for generating a count;
payout counter means for storing said count;
a coin bin for storing coins;
a coin hopper;
means responsive to a count in said payout counter means for
dispensing coins from said coin bin into said hopper;
coin sensing means responsive to the passage of each coin into said
hopper for reducing the count in said payout counter;
means responsive to a zero count in said payout counter means for
disabling said dispensing means.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:
winner sensing means coupled to said payout counter means for
developing a winner signal whenever the count in said payout
counter means is greater than zero;
hopper bistable means being set by said winner signal; delay means
coupled to coin sensing means for generating a delayed output
signal when the time duration between coin dispensing signals is
greater than the delay time of said delay means;
means responsive to the presence of a delayed output signal and the
set state of said hopper bistable means for generating a coin
hopper malfunction signal.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising plural means each
adapted to sense a malfunction condition;
register means having a plurality of stages for storing the states
of said plural malfunction sensing means;
means for loading the contents of said sensing means into a first
group of selected stages of said register means;
an input line and an output line;
decoder means responsive to a code applied to said input line for
sequentially stepping the contents of said register means into said
output line.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising first totalizer
means for counting the total number of coins deposited in said
bin;
second totalizer means for counting the number of coins dispensed
into said hopper;
means for loading the contents of said first and second totalizer
means into a second group of selected stages of said register
means.
11. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:
delay means triggered by said stepping pulses, said delay means
being adapted to time out if the time duration between stepping
pulses exceeds the delay period of said delay means.
12. Apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of individual reel assemblies, each of said assemblies
being comprised of:
a support frame;
a stepping motor mounted upon said frame and having an output
shaft;
a disc mounted for rotation on said shaft, said disc having a
plurality of symbols thereon;
a hollow cylindrical member mounted to the periphery of said
disc;
means operable for activating said apparatus;
random high frequency generator means;
low frequency stepping means;
counter means normally stepped by said random generator means;
means for decoupling said random generator means from said counter
means and for coupling said low frequency stepping means to said
counter means and said motor when said activating means is
operated;
means responsive to a predetermined count in said counter means for
decoupling said low frequency stepping means from said motor and
for abruptly halting said motor.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a circuit board
secured to said frame on one side of said disc;
a light source mounted to the other side of said disc;
a plurality of light sensing devices mounted on said circuit
board;
a plurality of patterns of openings on said disc each being
associated with one of said symbols whereby said light sensing
devices are selectively illuminated by said light source to
generate electrical signals representing the symbol being displayed
when said reel assembly is halted.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising
decoder means coupled to the sensing device of said reel assemblies
for determining the combination of symbols being displayed when all
of said reel assemblies have stopped rotating.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising
means for decoding the failure of all of the sensing devices on any
of said reel assemblies from being illuminated to indicate a
malfunction signal due to misalignment of the reel stopping.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said opening pattern includes
at least one timing hole for each symbol position on said reel;
said sensing means further including means adapted to generate a
pulse as each timing hole passes the sensing means;
delay means coupled to said timing hole sensing means for timing
out only when the interval between successive pulses from said
timing hole sensing means exceeds the delay period of said delay
means;
means coupled to said delay means for generating a malfunction
signal whenever said delay means times out.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising
means coupled between said stepping means and said motor means for
randomly controlling the direction of rotation of said reels.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each reel assembly further
comprises a connector plug having a plurality of pins;
a plurality of receptacles each adapted for receiving an associated
one of said connector plugs and having a socket for each of said
pins;
means for establishing one circuit path when all of said plugs are
properly inserted into their associated sockets;
means responsive to the absence of said circuit path for generating
a malfunction signal indicating improper insertion of said plugs in
said sockets.
19. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising delay means
triggered by said stepping means for generating a malfunction
output if said delay means times out before receipt of any trigger
pulse from said stepping means.
20. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising delay means
coupled to the output of said counter means and to the output of
said activating means for generating a malfunction signal when said
activating means has not been operated and the interval between
successive outputs from said counter means exceeds the delay period
of said delay means.
21. A gaming machine comprising:
a plurality of reel assemblies each having a rotatable reel and a
motor drive therefore;
a plurality of counter means for each reel assembly and being
connected in a cascade array;
a high frequency stepping means for incrementing the first counter
means in said array whereby each succeeding counter means is
incremented each time the immediate preceeding counter means
reaches a capacity count;
low frequency stepping means responsive to receipt of a coin for
coupling said low frequency stepping means to all of said reel
assemblies and for decoupling said high frequency stepping means
from said first counter means;
means provided in each reel assembly for sensing the rotation of
its associated reel to generate stepping pulses and applying said
stepping pulses to its associated counter means;
means coupled to each counter means responsive to development of a
capacity count therein to decouple said low frequency stepping
means from the associated reel assembly;
delay means coupled to the last counter means in said array for
receiving trigger pulses therefrom each time said last counter
means reaches a capacity count;
means coupled to said delay means for generating a high frequency
stepping means malfunction signal when the interval between trigger
pulses applied to said delay means is greater than the delay period
of said delay means.
22. The gaming machine of claim 21 further comprising a tamper
proof housing for enclosing the machine and reel assemblies;
a door swingably coupled to said housing for gaining access to the
housing interior;
key operated lock means for locking said housing door in the closed
position;
switch means responsive to the opening of said door for generating
a door open signal.
23. The gaming machine of claim 22 further comprising malfunction
signal storage means for storing said door opening signal.
24. The gaming machine of claim 23 further comprising lamp means
coupled to said malfunction signal storage means and being
illuminated when a door-open signal is stored therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to slot machines and more
particularly to a novel modular solid state slot machine for
performing all machine functions through novel solid state
circuitry.
Heretofore, slot machines were generally of mechanical or at most
electromechanical design wherein the deposit of a coin enabled
activation of the machine. The operation of the machine operating
arm caused rotation of each of the three (or more) display wheels
free-wheelingly mounted upon a common shaft and each containing the
same indicia, which indicia, when lined up in rows or diagonally in
predetermined combinations indicate either a winning condition or a
non-winning condition. Due to the large number of repeated
operations required by mechanical components such machines require
frequent maintenance and repair. The anti-cheat and anti-theft
mechanisms of the prior art have also been found to be
ineffective.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is characterized by providing a novel
all-electronic slot machine which utilizes high speed solid state
electronic circuitry for performing all of the functions heretofore
performed by mechanical and/or electro-mechanical components
utilized in conventional slot machines. In addition thereto,
capabilities well beyond those provided in existing equipment are
obtained thereby yielding a slot machine in which the need for
maintenance and/or repair is significantly reduced and is further
significantly simplified as compared with present day devices. Many
types of electronic games have been developed and some of these
resemble a slot machine. The present invention relates to a machine
where coins are inserted, a handle is pulled, symbol bearing reels
visible through front viewing glass rotate and randomly stop in
some predetermined order, identifiable winning combinations which
are clearly marked pay back coins automatically, the entire process
requiring an average of about five 5 seconds.
The machine of the present invention tests each coin for size,
weight and metal content and a safe drop starts a counter which may
accumulate up to five coins for a multi-line, multi-coin machine.
Any tampering with the coin entry sensors is detected, the machine
locks in a non-playable condition, and a visual (audible if
desired) indication is provided. After at least one coin is
accepted, the handle pull circuit is enabled to decouple the output
of a random generator from a counter provided for each reel upon a
valid handle pull operation, to store a predetermined count.
Malfunction monitoring means generates a random generator
malfunction signal in the event of a random generator malfunction.
The reels are then activated. The motor driven reels are
continually tested for proper speed of rotation. After a
predetermined minimum run time, the counters are stepped to zero to
halt each reel. Photosensing means sense the symbols for each reel
by sensing the hole patterns. These code combinations are decoded
to determine the presence (or absence) of a winning combination.
Any half-step rotation of a reel is detected as a malfunction
condition. The sensing means also serves as an input to detection
means to generate a reel malfunction signal in the event of
malfunction of any one of the reels. The count of the selected
payout combination is stored in a counter which is stepped as each
coin is dispensed into the payout tray. An over pay, hopper jam or
no payout in the presence of a winning combination, develops a
malfunction signal. For multiple line machines, each separate line
is decoded in sequence. Combinations for attendant payout are
provided as options. All machine functions are monitored on a
regular basis to check for malfunctions. All malfunctions are
stored in a memory together with coin in-take, coin payout, door
open, hopper jam, power failure, etc. All of the stored data is
available for polling and print-out by a computer which identifies
each machine by its machine code number. Only the machine having
that code number will respond and output all of its stored data. In
the case of malfunctions a flashing lamp observable from the
exterior of the machine, and/or audible devices, and/or blackout of
lamp circuits identifies a machine malfunction while an internally
mounted LED display isolates the exact cause of malfunction. All
circuits are modular making maintenance a simple matter to
replacing the defective module. All options are provided in every
machine with the selected options being a simple matter of making
the proper jumper connections.
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a novel
solid state gaming machine.
Another object is to provide a gaming machine having self-checking
circuitry for continuously monitoring all machine functions and
states to signal a malfunction condition and to precisely indicate
the nature of the malfunction by means of a low energy lamp
display.
Another object of the invention is to provide a solid state gaming
machine having solid state means for generating output combinations
in a truly random fashion.
Still another object is to provide a gaming machine for storing all
machine states and adapted to be periodically polled to provide
malfunction, accounting and statistical data to a communications
link for data processing and/or data print-out.
Another object of the present invention is to provided a gaming
machine having novel independently operated reel assemblies and a
stepper motor electronically and randomly stepped to a final stop
position by electronic control circuitry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above, as well as other objects of the invention will become
apparent from the accompanying description and drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the
principles of the present invention.
FIGS. 2-5, 6d and 7 are schematic diagrams of the electronic
circuitry employed in the operation of the machine of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a coin acceptor employed in the
machine of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 6a-6c show perspective views of one of the reel assemblies
employed in the gaming machine of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slot machine 10 embodying
the principles of the present invention and which is comprised of a
fully enclosed tamper-proof housing 11 having a hinged front door
12 normally maintained in the closed and locked position by
key-operated lock 13. The front face of the machine is comprised of
an upper award display panel 15, a large centrally located reel
display 16 and a lower casino advertising display panel 17. A coin
entry slot is provided on the front face at 18 and includes a
manually operable coin release button 18a. Drop tray 19 is provided
at the bottom front face of housing 11 for payout in case of a win
or coin return. Handle 20 is provided to place the machine into
operation after deposit of the requisite number of coins. In
alternative embodiments, handle 20 may be eliminated and the
activation of the reels may be provided immediately upon deposit of
a single coin or the requisite number of coins, as the case may
be.
Upper panel 15 is provided with lamps behind each of the winning
combinations. The amount of coins played may be selectively
illuminated to show increased awards. Central display panel 16 is
provided with three transparent windows 16a, 16b and 16c behind
which each of the reels 21a, 21b and 21c is positioned. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a "criss-cross" type of machine is
depicted wherein winning combinations may be obtained across three
horizontal lines labelled "Line 1" (center line); "Line 2"](upper
line); and "Line 3" (bottom line); and which further provides for
two diagonal combinations labelled "Line 4" (upper left to lower
right); and "Line 5" (lower left to upper right). Thus, it is
possible to yield as many as five different combinations on a
single play of the machine. In such instances, and in order to play
five combinations, the machine has a capability of accepting
predetermined quantities of coins for each such combination play,
as well as having a capability of being activated for only a single
line play or a multiple line play of less than the maximum number
of lines (in the present case, five lines). All winning
combinations (in the event that more than one winning event occurs)
can be added together and the total amount paid.
The reels 21a-21c which are visible behind windows 16a-16c
respectively and have their exteriors illuminated by suitable lamp
means (not shown) are each typically provided with indicia (for
example, "fruit"symbols) which set up the various permutations and
combinations of winning (and non-winning) plays.
Pulling handle 20 activates a switch sensor (not shown in FIG. 1)
as opposed to conventional devices in which mechanical components
react thereto to place the machine into play by mechanically
"kicking" the reels into rotation. The handle, however, is designed
to have a conventional handle "feel" .
Modular construction is used throughout the machine and the extra
large capacity tray 19 is designed to slide out on guide rails. All
of the internal electronics utilize only D.C. voltage and there is
no A.C. wiring within the machine.
Reels 21a -21c are individually removable with the same guide rail,
self-seating plus arrangement. The reels are preferably formed of
plastic and are driven by maintenance-free stepping motors. There
are no metal on metal constacts to wear and no lubrication and
periodic maintenance of any kind to be performed. No adjustments
are provided in the machine and maintenance is a simple matter of
module replacement, lamp changing and insofar as mechanical aspects
are concerned, the possiblity of clearing a coin jam.
Positioned behind reels 21a -21c is the internal computer printed
circuit board package which is universal in nature for all machine
models and the options provided are selectable by jumper wires
provided on the board making model or option conversion a simple
activity when required. Included within the computer electronics
(to be more fully described) is a truly random generator which
guarantees yield for the life of the machine.
A security alert and function evaluator (SAFE) display is provided
within the machine wherein sensors throughout the machine and
circuitry within the computer continually check for malfunctions or
a security breach. If such should occur, the machine will lock in a
non-playable condition, a flashing light on the top of the display
will indicate a malfunction and by gaining access to the interior
of the housing observation of the "SAFE" display (comprised of
light emitting diodes, i.e. LED's) immediately isolates the
specific malfunction.
Basic models include one, three and five coin machines of any
denomination; center line (Line 1) only pay but for provision for
bars in any position; three line (Lines 1-3) and five line (Lines
1-5) criss-cross models, standard bell fruit; fruit symbols with
one cherry paying two or three; jackpot-only machines with three
different symbols and blanks or with seven symbols without blanks
and blanks or a combination of symbols to pay; and a one symbol
wild model. Options include a top candle, various bells and chime
arrangements, automatic reel start when maximum number of coins are
inserted or a handleless single coin machine. Several
configurations for non-linear or attendant pays including a double
progressive machine is also provided and any model can be provided
with an option where each display reel randomly steps in either
direction on each handle pull.
The machine of FIG. 1 is equipped to interface with a mini-computer
wherein a three-wire transmission line is daisy-chained from the
computer to the slot machines. Each machine has a different address
and a decoder is provided in the machine to decode that address. A
central mini-computer may be utilized to poll each slot machine in
sequence to extract data as to machine status, cause of malfunction
(if any), security breaches and coin totals and coin handle and
coin drop counts. Immediate security alerts are provided, several
types of maintenance reports are available on demand or
automatically and a management summary by machine with floor totals
is available. All of the above information may be printed out in
hard copy form.
Turning to a consideration of FIG. 2, when a coin is inserted in
slot 18 (FIG. 1) it falls through a coin acceptor which checks the
deposited coin for size, weight and non-ferrous material. If the
coin does not meet the standards, it either locks within the
acceptor or falls through into the payout tray. A locked up coin
may be released by manually pushing the coin reject button 18a. The
coin acceptor is a standard item which is conventional in such
present day machines and a detailed description thereof will be
omitted herein for purposes of simplicity. The acceptor is provided
with a fail-safe solenoid which is normally deenergized and must be
energized in order to accept the coin. This solenoid is energized
whenever the "insert coin" condition (i.e. lamp) is present.
The insert coin condition is developed at the output of gate 21
(FIG. 2) and goes low to illuminate the insert coin lamp 22. The
lamp is extinguished under the following logic conditions:
a. When the maximum number of coins for the machine has been
inserted. This condition is applied to one input of gate 23 causing
the output of gate 23 and the output of gate 21 to go high.
b. From the time that at least one coin has been accepted and the
machine handle is pulled until payout, if any, is complete. This
condition is sensed by the remaining input of gate 23 wherein the
fact that the handle is activated is derived from flip-flop circuit
30, to be more fully described.
c. A "blackout" condition is present (indicating any one or more of
the malfunctions), which condition is applied to the remaining
input of gate 21, or
d. A "bonus" condition, which is derived from the output of gate 24
in the case where an attendant pay is provided, which option (PAY
OPTION) may be installed and which is coupled to input 24a of gate
24.
Thus, when any of the above four conditions occur, the acceptor
solenoid (which is coupled to the output of gate 21) is not
energized and any coins inserted into coin slot 18 fall directly
through the acceptor into the payout tray. The output of gate 24 is
also coupled to gate 26 causing FF 25 to be cleared. This sets the
Q output 25d high to clear coin counter 28 to zero, preventing a
reel driving and hence a payout cycle. When the coin counter 28 is
set to zero by FF 25 or as a result of being counted down to zero
during a payout cycle, its zero output is decoded by decoder 29
causing gate 27 to also cause gate 26 to clear FF 25. Also, after
each payout is complete one-shot 154 (FIG. 4) is triggered. 100
milliseconds later one-shot 154 resets itself. During the 100
millisecond time interval (before one-shot 154 is reset) the coin
counter will not count coins until the delay interval is
terminated.
The SYSTEM RESET signal is generated by the output of gate 26 and
causes gate 730 to turn off the hopper motor.
The BLACKOUT/OPTION line may be wired to the gate 735 (FIG. 3) to
operate LED 454.
Coins which meet the standards of the acceptor fall along a path
which includes a double microswitch (or double photocell)
arrangement for releasing a static eliminator clamp circuit and, if
the timing is correct, registers as a valid coin. The computer
inputs are buffered into flip-flop circuits for subsequent transfer
to the computer during a computer scan operation as will be more
fully described.
The static eliminator comprises bistable flip-flop 25 which is
clamped in the clear condition at its input 25a if a blackout
condition is present (and is applied to 25a through gate 26) or if
the bonus option is activated, said option condition being applied
through gates 24 and 26 to "clear" input 25a. Flip-flop 25 is
momentarily cleared at the end of every pay cycle, which condition
is provided at one input of gate 27 and is coupled to input 25a
through gate 26. In the cleared condition, flip-flop 25 applies its
Q output 25d, which is high at this time, to the clear input 28a of
multistage electronic counter 28. The high condition at output 25d
is sustained to prevent counter 28 from counting until the clear
condition at 28a is released.
At this time, and when the output of counter 28 is at zero, this
condition is decoded by decoder 29, which decodes binary codes from
counter 28 into a "low" condition at an associated one of its
outputs. The "zero" output 29a goes low to set a bistable flip-flop
(FF) 30, whose output 30a goes high to disable the "handle" circuit
and to either directly or indirectly reset or lock all of the
machine timing.
When the coin passes the accepter, it falls into the coin receiving
slot S (FIG. 2a). A top coin entry microswitch 32 having a feeler
arm 32a is engaged by the coin to set a flip-flop 33. The Q output
33c of FF 33 is applied through line 35 to inverter 36 and gate 37
to trigger a one-shot multivibrator (OSM) 38 which develops a 15
millisecond pulse at its output 38a. This pulse is applied to the
clock input 25c of bistable flip-flop 25. The Q output 33d of FF 33
is applied to the "J" input 25b of bistable FF 25 causing its Q
output 25d to go low. This condition releases the locking function
and also removes the clear condition from counter 28 enabling the
coin counter to be incremented. If, during this cycle, static or
any other conditions should cause a spike of electrical noise
sufficient to affect the system ground plane, this condition will
be immediately recognized by capacitor C1 (FIG. 3) which is coupled
to gate 37 and to +5 volts D.C. through resistor R1. A low
condition will be developed at the output of gate 37 simulating a
momentary power failure which develops a "blackout" condition. As
will be more fully described, the system logic, in the presence of
a blackout condition, performs a 1 second check of itself, and if
no malfunction is thereafter discovered (i.e. if the power failure
was transient in nature), the blackout condition is released. The
machine is playable, but bistable flip-flop 25 is cleared through
gate 26 aborting the cycle and preventing any payout.
When a coin passes beyond the feeler 32a (FIG. 2a) of top
microswitch 32, one-shot multivibrator 39 is triggered through FF
33 and gate 31 to develop a pulse of 150 millisecond duration.
After passing the feeler arm of microswitch 32, the coin engages
the feeler arm of 41a lower microswitch 41 which sets a bistable
flip-flop (FF) 43. The output of FF 43 is coupled through the
inverter 45 and gate 46 to trigger a 10 millisecond one-shot
multivibrator 48. The Q outputs of multivibrators 39 and 48 are
coupled to respective inputs of gate 49. The Q output of one-shot
39 and the Q output of one-shot 48 are coupled to the respective
inputs of gate 50. The Q output of one-shot 39 and the Q output 33d
of FF 33 are coupled to respective inputs of gate 52. The 10
millisecond duration of one-shot 48 falls within the 150
millisecond envelope of one-shot 39 to enable gate 49 which couples
a count pulse through gate 53 to the upcount input 28b of coin
counter 28 to register the deposited coin as a valid one. Any
attempt to draw the coin out of the slot S will be thwarted as a
result of the free ends 32b and 41b of swingable feeler arms being
positioned across the slot to prevent upward movement and hence
removal of the coin(s). Incorrect timing, attempts to retrigger the
envelope, or stepping of the coin counter beyond its counting limit
serves to cause a "blackout-coin entry" condition to be described
later.
The feeler arms 32a and 41a and associated microswitches 32 and 41
may each be replaced by a light source positioned adjacent one side
S.sub.1 of slot S and a photocell positioned adjacent opposite side
S.sub.2. Light shining through an opening (not shown) in side
S.sub.1 normally illuminates its associated photocell. When a coin
enters the slot the light paths of the light source photocell
assemblies are selectively blocked causing the upper and then the
lower photocell to alter their outputs which are used to trigger
OSM 39 and OSM 48 in the same manner as microswitches 32 and 41 to
assure proper insertion of each coin. The coin exit, door open,
handle and hopper coin float microswitches may all be replaced by
similar photosensing means.
Proper timing causes a valid coin to increment coin counter 28 by
one count through gate 53. The output of gate 53 is further coupled
through gate 55 to one-shot 56 which generates a one microsecond
strobe at its Q output. The Q output of one-shot 56 is inverted at
57 and the inverted Q output appearing at the output of inverter 57
is applied to the strobe inputs 59a and 60a of latch memories 59
and 60. The plural inputs 59b and 60b of latch memories 59 and 60
store whatever decoded condition selectively appears at one of the
outputs of decoder 29. However, the conditions at the inputs 59b
and 60b appear at the outputs 59c and 60c only upon the occurrence
of a strobe pulse. The presence of the strobe pulse causes the
decoded condition at the output of decoder 29 to appear at the
outputs 59c and 60c to selectively enable that lamp of the lamp
group 62 which represents the number of valid coins accepted as of
that time. For example, gates 474-477 light the 1st through 4th
coin lamps (when switches S.sub.1 -S.sub.4 are in the dotted line
position and there is no "blackout condition"), and gate 473 lights
the 5th coin lamp. When switches S.sub.1 -S.sub.4 are in the solid
line position, gates 44a-44d serve to light all lamps representing
coins lower in number than the highest number coin inserted. For
example, if three coins have been inserted, the lamps for coins #1,
#2 and #3 will all be lit. Coin counter 29 is down counted during
the pay cycle in a manner to be more fully described. Latches 59
and 60 are only affected during coin entry and are not altered by
blackout. After the machine has been played, the coin lamps will
continue to indicate how many coins were last played. A center
line, multiple coin machine will have only one coin lamp on at any
given time. A multiple line machine will have all the lines played
on illuminated. Gates 48a-48j decode the number of coins counted to
selectively enable the lines 180a-180h (FIG. 7) to select the lines
played (as will be more fully described). The number of coins for
one handle play may be increased beyond five if desired.
The coin-in strobe developed at the Q output of one-shot 56 is
applied to the clear input 39a of one-shot 39 to abruptly abort the
150 millisecond timing cycle and thereby prepare for receipt of
another coin in the event of a fast feed by the machine user on
multiple coin machines. This strobe condition is further applied to
input 65a of a multistage electronic counter 65 (FIG. 3) which is
preferably a 12-bit electronic binary counter capable of developing
a count of 2.sup.12 for accumulating a count of the numbe of coins
deposited in the machine and is employed for computer scanning and
data gathering in a manner to be more fully described. The coin-in
strobe is further employed to abort a hopper timing cycle by
applying a signal to the clear input of one-shot multivibrator 70
(FIG. 4) which functions in a manner to be more fully
described.
The engagement of lower coin microswitch 41 (FIG. 2) is further
taken from the Q output of FF 43 for use in coin counting. The
output of FF 43 is coupled through inverter 61 to an
electromechanical "coin-in" counter 62.
As coins are deposited in the coin hopper, a microswitch 64 sets a
bistable flip-flop 66 when the hopper is filled to capacity to
enable gate 68 to pass coin count pulses to a second
electromechanical counter 69 referred to as the "drop" counter.
Beneath the coin entry microswitches 32 and 41 is a conventional
diverter assembly typically provided with a solenoid having an arm
for directing coins either to the hopper or to the drop chute. As
was referred to hereinabove, the hopper is equipped with a level
sensing microswitch 64 buffered by the flip-flop (FF) 66.
When the hopper is filled to a predetermined level, nominally 1000
coins, the output of FF 66 enables the drop counter 68 and
simultaneously enables a hopper solenoid (not shown) coupled to the
output of gate 71, which solenoid, when engaged, diverts incoming
coins into the drop chute. This solenoid is of the fail-safe type
to permit coins to drop to the hopper which is provided with an
emergency overflow into the drop chute.
When the first coin has been accepted, the coin accepted lamp 74,
coupled to the output of gate 75, is illuminated when the decoder
29 indicates that the count is greater than zero (i.e. output 29a
is high) and the handle has yet to be operated. This causes the
output of gate 75 to go low, which condition is inverted at 76 to
illuminate lamp 74. At this time the handle circuit is enabled. The
handle may now be pulled by the operator to activate microswitch 77
which sets the flip-flop 78 to reset flip-flop 30 through gates 79
and 80. FF 30 clears the insert coin and coin accepted lamp
conditions by disabling gates 21 and 75 and which initiates the
next machine cycle.
Handle 20 (FIG. 1) is equipped with an artifical "feel" device for
player appeal. The operation of the handle activates microswitch 77
to develop a high condition at output 30a of FF30 which is coupled
to the input of 300 millisecond one-shot multivibrator 83 (FIG. 4)
through inverter 84 and gate 85. The Q output of one-shot 83 resets
the coins paid display visible to the machine operator on the top
glass display 15 (FIG. 1); resets flip-flop 87 causing a reset of
the "winner paid" condition (the "winner paid" lamp was previously
extinguished by insertion of the first coin; in order to turn on
the lamp, flip-flop 87 must be set and the coin counter must be on
zero); and resets the SAFE "reel touch" FF441 (FIG. 3), delayed
door open and delayed power failure, as will be described in more
detail hereinbelow.
Bistable flip-flop 30 (FIG. 2) also prevents all further coin entry
and by application of its output signal to gate 21, disables the
"insert coin" signal to gate 76 to disable the "coin accepted" lamp
74. Considering also FIG. 5, the "handle" signal is applied through
inverters 92 and 92a to the stepping motors for rotating the
indicia bearing reels 21a-21c. As will be more fully described, the
output of inverter 92a energizes transistors Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2 and
Q.sub.3 (FIG. 5) to enable the stepping motor transistors Q.sub.6 ,
Q.sub.7 and Q.sub.8 (FIG. 6a).
If desired, handle 20 may be eliminated and switch arm 94, normally
coupled to +5 volts D.C. through resistor R2 (FIG. 2), may be
connected to gate 53 to automatically start the reels thereby
providing a handleless machine.
Oscillators 95 and 96 of FIG. 5 benin to operate as soon as power
is applied to the machine. The high speed (100 nanosecond)
oscillator 95 forms part of the random count generation, while the
low speed (4 millisecond) oscillator 96 has its output applied
through bistable (divider) flip-flop 97 to drive the indicia
bearing reels 21a-21c. Prior to initiation of rotation of the first
reel, bistable flip-flop 99 (FIG. 5) is in the set condition with
its Q output high. Whenever the coin counter 28 (FIG. 2) contains a
zero count, the "handle" signal is high. This condition is inverted
by inverter 101 and is applied to the set input 99a of bistable
flip-flop 99 to clamp its Q output in the high state. The Q output
of flip-flop 99 is coupled to one input of gate 102, while the Q
output is coupled to one input of gate 103, respectively, enabling
and disabling these gates. The outputs of gates 102 and 103 are
coupled to gate 104 whose output is coupled to the input of a
non-resettable divide by N counter. The Q output of high frequency
oscillator 95 is coupled to the remaining input of gate 102 and
with gate 102 enabled, the high speed clock 95 repeatedly steps
divide by N counter 105 through its N positions. When the handle is
pulled, the reel drive circuits Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2 and Q.sub.3 are
enabled through the Q output of FF 97, inverter 92a and one-shot
multivibrators 150-1 through 150-3. The clear condition is removed
from bistable (FF) 106 coupled to inverter 92. The next pulse from
the Q output of FF 97 (coupled to low-frequency oscillator 96)
causes the Q output of FF 106 to trigger one-shot multivibrator 131
which clears FF's 99, 107 and 108 (through its Q output) and
triggers one-shot multivibrators 123, 125 and 127 (through its Q
output).
The Q output of FF 106 also generates the TEST signal which is
simultaneously applied to one-shot 171 and gate 167 of FIG. 4 for a
purpose to be described hereinbelow. Briefly, one-shot 171
continuously tests for payout condition while gate 167 loads
contents of the all binary "ones" into counters 164 and 166 if the
payout circuits are not damaged. A disable signal has been
transmitted through gate 159 to the symbol decoders driving all
outputs high. All pay lines should be high. All outputs of counters
165 and 166 will be high and the output of gate 169 low disabling
gate 170. Any failure within the symbol payout circuitry will keep
gate 170 enabled and cause a safe (unsafe) payout malfunction.
When bistable flip-flop 99 is cleared, its Q and Q outputs reverse
state disabling the high speed clock input gate 102 to the divide
by N counter 105. The reel #1 sync input is developed by the
photoelectric means described hereinbelow. These pulses are applied
to one-shot multivibrator 109, whose Q output applies the reel #1
sync pulses to counter 105 through gate 103, which has been enabled
by the high level at the Q output of FF 99.
The handle pull generates the HANDLE signal which clears FF 98. On
the next pulse from FF 97, FF 98 toggles to set its Q output high.
When all three reels have stopped the Q outputs of FF's 99, 107 and
108 enable gate 653. The output of gate 653 is coupled to the K
input of FF 98 to reset FF 98 after the reels have stopped. After
FF 98 has toggled, its Q output triggers one-shot 131 which turns
on FF's 99, 107 and 108 to initiate operation of the reels R (FIGS.
1 and 6a).
If desired, a crazy reel option may be employed to cause rotation
of the reels R in either direction in a random fashion. A divide by
M counter 666, employed as a frequency divider, is coupled to
oscillator 96. The frequency divider 666 provides flasher outputs
666a-666c for flashing selected lamps (such as Jackpot #1 and #2,
Bonus Lamp, Insert Coin Lamp, etc.) and for the "crazy" reel. The
outputs 666a-666c are respectively coupled to gates 667, 668 and
669 by wiring terminals b.sub.2 to b.sub.3, b.sub.4 to b.sub.5,
b.sub.6 to b.sub.7 by wiring b.sub.3, b.sub.5 and b.sub.7 in common
to b.sub.10. The remaining inputs of gates 667, 668 and 669 are
coupled to the Q output of one-shot 134. Depending on the state of
each input 666a, 666b, 666c at the time that one-shot 134 develops
an output pulse, the outputs of gates 667-669 are either high or
low (substantially independently of one another). The outputs of
gates 667-669 and inverter 670 respectively clear or fail to clear
bistable FF's 130-1 to 132-2. Inverter 670 normally clears FF's
130-2, 131-2 and 132-2. Gates 667, 668 and 669 selectively clear
(or fail to clear) FF's 130-1, 131-1 and 132-1 with the result that
reels R may be rotated at random in either direction depending upon
the state (high or low) of the outputs 666a-666c when gates 667-669
are enabled by the trigger pulse from one-shot 134.
The number that is stored in the divide by N counter 105 at the
time of the handle pull determines where the reel will stop (it
being noted that the number of symbol positions on the reel is
preferably seven--but not necessarily--equal to the number N of the
divide by N counter 105). Even with very rapid play, counter 105
will cycle through its complete count in excess of one million
times between handle pulls, thereby creating a truly random
number.
The output 105c of reel #1 counter 105 is coupled to the input 112a
of the divide by N counter 112 for reel #2 when operating in the
random mode. The output 112c of reel #2 counter 112 is coupled to
the input 113a of divide by N counter 113. The output 113c of reel
#3 counter 113 is applied to gate 115 whose output is coupled
through gate 116 and gate 117 (see FIG. 3) to continually trigger
and retrigger one-shot multivibrator 119 having a capability of
developing a 100 millisecond pulse. If one-shot 119 fails to
receive a trigger pulse at its input for 100 milliseconds, the Q
output of 119 causes flip-flip 120 to be set causing its output
120b to enable gates 122 and 449 to respectively develop a blackout
condition and a random generator condition (by turning on LED 459).
While the reels are turning, the slow speed clock is continually
tested by this circuit.
Simultaneously with the activation of reels 21a-21c, one-shot
multivibrator 123 (FIG. 5) is triggered on for 1.1 seconds through
gate 124, one-shot multivibrator 125 is triggered on for 2.2
seconds through gate 126 and one-shot multivibrator 127 is
triggered on for 3.3 seconds by gate 128. These one-shots
constitute "minimum run time" generators for reels 21a, 21b and 21c
respectively. When one-shot 123 is triggered, its Q output is
maintained in a low state to apply a low condition to the J input
of bistable flip-flop 99 thereby preventing flip-flop 99 from
changing state.
FIGS. 6a-6d show one of the reel assemblies 21 which is preferably
formed of a lightweight durable plastic material and which is
encoded around the periphery of disc D by a hole pattern comprised
of elongated openings H. Light floods the exterior of disc D. A
disc-shaped printed circuit board 140 (FIG. 6b) is mounted in a
stationary manner within reel assembly 21 adjacent disc D. A
plurality of phototransistors 140-1 through 140-10 are mounted at
preset locations in a plurality of radial arrays about board 140.
The symbol bearing reel R is mounted to the periphery of disc
D.
A frame F supports the reel assembly and is provided with a plug
connector P for electrically connecting the sensing circuits and
stepper motor M to drive and control circuitry. Motor M is secured
to an upright member F.sub.1 of frame F (FIG. 6c) and its output
shaft S extends through an opening in circuit board 140. Lamps Ls
serve as the light source for the next adjacent reel assembly. The
reel assemblies may be removed and/or replaced independently of one
another. However, the interconnection arrangement for the reel
connectors P and their receptacles (not shown) may be wired
differently so as to create a malfunction signal (to be more fully
described) in the event that the reel assemblies are not replaced
in their proper positions. As the reel revolves, these
phototransistors see light or dark, depending upon the hole
pattern. Each symbol on reel 20 has its own three-bit binary code.
Three phototransistors 140-2, 140-5 and 140-8 sense the symbol on
the center line; phototransistors 140-1, 140-4 and 140-7 sense the
upper symbol; phototransistors 140-3; 140-6 and 140-9 sense the
lower symbol; and phototransistor 140-10 is utilized for
synchronization. Although there are eight possible three-bit binary
combinations, only seven of the eight are utilized and the all
three dark code is employed as part of the blackout payout
malfunction circuit. It should be understood that a greater or
lesser number of code bits may be employed, depending only upon the
number of symbols employed on each reel. For example, four bit
sensing may be employed to accommodate 16 symbols, i.e. 15 active
and one for malfunction detection.
Directly opposite the phototransistor 140-10 a hole H.sub.1 (FIG.
6a) is provided in the disc D for each symbol. As reel 21 rotates,
a steady stream of pulses is developed by phototransistor 140-10 to
produce the "reel sync" pulses which are applied through gate 102
to trigger and retrigger the one-shot multivibrators 150-1, 150-2
and 150-3.
While the motor is running to rotate each reel, the sync pulses
continually step their respective divide by N counters 105, 112 and
113, but the computer outputs are all disabled for at least the
minimum run time which is controlled by one-shots 123, 125 and 127.
After the minimum run time, each of the counters 105, 112 and 113
is stepped to zero to apply trigger pulses to the clock inputs of
bistable flip-flops 99, 197 and 108. The Q outputs of one-shots
123, 125 and 127 cause the FF's 99, 107 and 108 to toggle to the
set condition as their associated counters step to "zero", thereby
stopping the respective motors (at least after the minimum run
times).
The motors are stepping motors and each of the reels are attached
to the motor shaft S by a unique rubber molding process. A metallic
tapped insert I (FIG. 6a) threadedly engages the threaded shaft S
(FIG. 6b). A molded rubber gasket mounts disc D (and hence reel R)
to insert I. Motor drive is created by the low speed clock 96
through bistable flip-flop 97 whose output is coupled to the clock
inputs of bistable flip-flops 130-1, 130-2, 131-1, 131-2 and 132-1.
The JK inputs of bistable flip-flops 130-1 and 130-2 are coupled in
common to the Q output of bistable flip-flop 99. When the Q output
is high bistable flip-flops 130-1 and 130-2 (for reel #1) are
alternately set and reset by the low speed clock to apply stepping
pulses to the windings of the reel #1 stepping motor 143 shown in
schematic fashion in FIG. 6d as having a first winding 143-1 whose
input terminals 143a and 143b are coupled to the Q and Q outputs of
130-1 and as having winding 143-2 whose input terminals 143c and
143d are coupled to the Q and Q outputs of 130-2. The center point
of windings 143-1 and 143-2 are coupled to +28 volts through
transistor Q1 and resistors R3 and R4 whenever terminal 144
receives a low condition from the collector of Q.sub.1 (FIG. 5) to
turn Q.sub.4 (FIG. 6d) on. The windings 143-1 and 143-2 are
alternately energized to incrementally rotate shaft S and hence
reel R. The motor steps of the order of 200 times per revolution.
Delay circuit 150-1 (FIG. 5) is prevented from timing out by the
trigger pulses derived from gate 103. When the counter 105 resets
FF 99, gate 103 is disabled and one-shot 150-1 remains on an
additional 200 milliseconds before timing out. During this 200
milliseconds Q1 remains on and no steps are applied which abruptly
stops motor M. The rubber insert between reel R motor shaft insert
I produces a desirable "bounce" as the reel comes to a stop. Since
one-shot 150-1 is turned on before FF 99 is cleared and remains on
retriggered by reel sync (through gate 103) until after FF 99 is
set, gate 700a senses this order. If one-shot 150-1 were to clear,
possibly caused by lack of retrigger sync pulses, while FF 99 is in
the clear motor run condition, malfunction safe reel drive is
picked up through gate 701. Since a predetermined minimum number of
pulses per unit are required, this circuit functions as a test of
proper reel rotation speed. Gates 700b and 700c operate in the same
manner as gate 700a. Gate 701 stores a safe reel drive malfunction
in FF 406 of FIG. 3.
When the reels are not running, a circuit comprised of gates 145
and 146 (FIG. 5) is enabled. If any one of the reels is moved
through an arc equivalent to one-half symbol, this condition is
picked up to create the Reel Touch signal, which does not cause
blackout, is reset only on handle pull, and is part of the security
display to be set forth in greater detail hereinbelow. The output
of gate 146 is coupled to the J input of flip-flop 441 (FIG. 3) to
illuminate LED 456 through gate 446.
When all reels have stopped, one-shot 150-3 times out and its Q
output (coupled to the clock input of FF 149) sets end reel drive
bistable flip-flop 149 (FIG. 5) so that output 149b goes high. This
condition initiates the pay out cycle to be described hereinbelow.
When bistable flip-flop 149 is in the "clear" state, the hopper
fail check comprised of one-shot multivibrator 70 (FIG. 4) receives
the end reel drive condition at its trigger input through inverter
152 and gate 153. The end reel drive signal is also applied to the
trigger input of one-shot multivibrator 154 through inverter 155
and gate 156 to start the payout timing cycle. The hopper bistable
flip-flop 158 also receives the end reel drive signal at its clear
input 158a so as to be enabled. The symbol recognition circuit gate
159 also receives the end reel drive signal to enable symbol
recognition (to be more fully described) at this time.
Before every pay cycle (i.e. while reels 21a-21c are running), the
"Test" signal goes high. This signal is applied to the load inputs
165a 166a of counters 165 and 166 through gate 167 enabling the pay
out amounts to be loaded therein (as will be more fully described).
At this time, however, the symbol recognition circuit is disabled.
A no pay out condition causes all of the lines 2.sup.0 through
2.sup.7 (FIG. 4) to go high. Thus, counters 165 and 166 will be
loaded with all binary one states causing their outputs to likewise
be at the binary one condition. All these binary one conditions are
applied to the inverted inputs of gate 169 causing its output to go
low enabling gate 172. At the end of the reel drive, the "Test"
line goes low triggering one-shot multivibrator 171 through
inverter 172 and gate 173. The Q output of one-shot multivibrator
171 is coupled to one input of gate 172 which receives the output
of gate 169 to test this output. If there has been a failure with
the pay out circuits, the blackout-pay out malfunction condition
will occur. Gate 501 (FIG. 4) generates a "safe" payout signal
which is stored in flip-flop 408 (FIG. 3) whose Q output lights LED
455 through gate 445 and creates a "blackout" through gate 122.
This test is performed before every pay out cycle. The end reel
drive signal releases the clamp on the hopper motor flip-flop 158
(FIG. 4), enables symbol recognition by disabling gate 159 (as will
be more fully described), triggers the hopper fail test one-shot
multivibrator 70 and triggers pay out timer (one-shot) 154 which
develops an output pulse at its Q output for a duration of 100
milliseconds. The end reel drive signal occurs 200 milliseconds
after the third reel stops due to one-shot multivibrator 150 (FIG.
5). in order to allow reel #3 sufficient time to settle.
Symbol data from each of the reels is coupled to the logical
circuitry of FIG. 7 in three-bit binary code form; three bits per
symbol and three symbols from each reel for a total of 27 bits. For
a fruit standard machine, for example, the highest code which is
three holes for a bar symbol, is applied as three low states. The
next highest codes, two holes and a blank, are utilized for the
numeral 7, the melon and cherry symbols. A code of one hole and two
blanks is used to identify bell, plum and orange symbols. A code of
three blanks (all three outputs high) is not employed and, if
recognized, will cause the blackout pay out condition through gate
621 which thereby indicates a "half-step" or other code
malfunction. If any one of the decoders 192-194 decode this
condition gate 621 will be enabled. The Q output of one-shot 251
(FIG. 4) enables NAND gate 627 to test for the above malfunction
just before each payout cycle begins.
The coin counter 28 (FIG. 2) controls which of the three symbols
from each reel will be displayed. The outputs of counter 28 are
decoded by decoder 29 and by gates 48a-48j (FIG. 2) whose outputs
are selectively coupled to lines 180a-180h of FIG. 7. For a center
line pay machine, only the center symbols are enabled. However,
there is a jumper option J to allow bars in any position for these
machines. Thus, by coupling the outputs 181a through 181c together
and 182a through 182c together, gate 195 is enabled by any "bar"
position to enable gates 201, 623, 624 and 625 to provide a payout
for "bars" in any position. Gates 198-200 also permit a payout for
a "cherry", "seven" or "bar" in every position of the line being
played when gates 198, 199 and 200 are wired to gates 623, 623 and
624 respectively. Jumper J.sub.2, if wired in, permits a .-+.wild
bar" to increase the number of winning combinations. If a player
has inserted five coins, for example, into a five line criss-cross
machine, the output of coin counter 28 (FIG. 2) will be at "5"
enabling gates 48e, 48f and 48j (FIG. 7) and initially, only the
lowest symbol of reel 21a (line 108e), the center symbol of reel
21b (line 180d) and the upper symbol of reel 21c (line 180b) will
be selected (i.e. enabled) wherein lines 180b, 180d and 180f will
be high to enable the NAND gate groups 183, 185 and 187 each
comprised of three NAND gates. On a multiple line machine, the
symbol outputs are wire OR'd together. Negative inputs to the gates
disable the outputs in this arrangement. The symbol for each reel
is decoded by decoders 192, 193 and 194 associated with each of the
reels 21a-21c, respectively, to cause only one of their outputs at
a time to be low while the remaining outputs will all be high. When
the symbol disable signal is high, all the selected outputs are
high. Gates 195-197, 198-200 and 201-203 are utilized for bar
symbols in any position. Gates 204a-209a, 204b-209b and 204c-209c
gate the bar symbol so as to be wild with anything. In a fruit
standard machine, a bar in the third reel may be wild with oranges,
plums, bells and melons.
The various pay combinations are decoded and appear as a single
active low state at one of the lines L.sub.1 through L.sub.12. For
example, considering line L.sub.1, gate 211 is coupled to the
outputs of gates 204a and 212. Gate 204a decodes a cherry or a bar
if the bar is wild. Gate 211 decodes a cherry or a bar if a bar is
wild from the left-hand reel and no cherry on the center reel which
constitutes a win condition to develop a low at line L.sub.1. As
another example, consider a line L.sub.6. Gate 214 is low when
gates 215 and 2-7c (from reel #3) are high. Gate 215 decodes either
a bar or a bell from the center reel through gate 217 and a bell
from the left-hand reel through gate 207a. Gate 207c decodes either
a bell or a wild bar. These conditions thus develop a low signal at
output L.sub.6. Low outputs at L.sub.2 -L.sub.5 and L.sub.7
-L.sub.12 are derived in a similar fashion. As another example, on
a fruit standard machine, a cherry on the left-hand reel and no
cherry on the center reel will cause L.sub.1 to go low and all
other L lines will be high. L.sub.2 and L.sub.3 pay on two cherries
and three cherries respectively (left-center and center-right);
L.sub.4 pays on three oranges; L.sub.5 pays on three plums; L.sub.6
pays on three bells, L.sub.7 pays on three melons, L.sub.9 pays on
three 7's; L.sub.8 pays on three bars, and so forth. The L lines
are left open or wire jumpered or diode jumpered to lines 2.sup.a,
2.sup.b, and 2.sup.0 through 2.sup.7. The lines 2.sup.0 through
2.sup.7 of FIG. 7 are connected respectively to the lines 2.sup.0
through 2.sup.7 of FIG. 4. Because of the pay out method employed,
actual pay out will be one more coin than the binary number
selected. For example, on fruit standard machines, three bells or
two bells and a bar will produce a low at line L.sub.6. This line
is electrically connected to the 2.sup.4 and 2.sup.0 lines as shown
by dotted line jumpers 223 and 224 in FIG. 7. These lines add up to
decimal 17. The 2.sup.4 and 2.sup.0 lines are coupled to pay out
counters 165 and 166 respectively. Actual pay out will be 18 coins
in number. As a further example, if line L.sub.1 is connected to
the 2.sup.1 line as shown by dotted line jumper 225 in FIG. 7, this
is connected through the 2.sup.1 line of FIG. 4 to pay out counter
165 to pay three coins.
For high pay outs on some machines, there is provision for either a
partial drop or no drop and as an alternative, an "attendant pay"
is provided. In one multiple coin machine, one non-linear high pay
may be offered when the maximum number of coins has been played and
the highest award is hit. This condition sets "bonus" flip-flop 240
as shown in FIG. 4 by application of a "jackpot option" input to
gate 241 which, in turn, applies its output to the J input of
bistable flip-flop 240. The jackpot option signal may be derived
from a gate output, typically the gate which decodes "777". Jackpot
option is directly connected to the gate output line L.sub.9 which
is typically 777. Lines 2.sup.a and 2.sup.b are also connected to
gate outputs typically 777 and Bar-Bar-Bar, i.e., to outputs
L.sub.9 and L.sub.8. If the player scores 777 and has inserted the
maximum number of coins (by connecting a jumper across d.sub.2 and
d.sub.1) gate 241 is enabled; its output goes high and bonus
flip-flop 240 is set. Depending on the options selected this may
give a partial pay or no pay and may lock the machine in an
unplayable "option" mode previously described. A flashing "bonus"
light comes on. Flip-flops 504 and 505 provide two levels of
jackpot indications. Bonus and both jackpots are sensed by the
computer by lines BONUS PAY, JP#1 and JP#2. Flashers for bonus and
jackpots are opposite phase so that the lamps are illuminated in
alternating fashion. Typically 2.sup.a by itself indicates 777 and
2.sup.b would indicate Bar Bar Bar, and not maximum coins, both of
which are automatically paid by machine. Thus the "bonus" condition
gate 629 (FIG. 7) is enabled for three "sevens", connecting its
output line (L.sub.8) jumper j.sub.3 to j.sub.1 and j.sub.4
activates line 2.sup.n and the JACKPOT OPTIONS signal line. FF 240
is thus enabled to enable gate 630. A fast flasher source 666
described hereinabove applies repetitive pulses from one of its
inputs 666a-666c to gate 630 through gate 631 to flash the BONUS
LAMP 632. The J inputs of FF's 504 and 505 are wired to 2.sup.a and
2.sup.b lines (FIG. 7) to provide one or two jackpots. The gates
634 and 635, coupled to the Q outputs of 504 and 505 are enabled to
respectively flash the Jackpot #1 and Jackpot #2 lamps 637 and
638.
When the count in coin counter 28 (FIG. 2) goes to zero, this
condition is applied to bistable flip-flop 30-31 to reset the
flip-flop which, in turn, resets the reel drive circuits to
terminate the pay cycle circuits. The last 100 millisecond pulse
after the coin counter 28 is decremented to zero clears the static
eliminator flip-flop 25 through gates 27 and 26 (FIG. 2).
If any of the pay lines 2.sup.0 through 2.sup.7 are low (FIG. 4)
the output of gate 254 will be high. This causes gate 255 to
develop a high output because the 100 millisecond pulse clears the
bistable flip-flop comprised of cross-coupled gates 271 and 272.
The output of gate 272 is coupled to the remaining input of gate
255 to cause the output of gate 255 to go low disabling gate 257
and enabling gate 258. At this time the 10 millisecond pulse from
one-shot 251 will not be fed back to one-shot 154, but will load
pay out counters 165 and 166 through gate 167. The trailing edge of
the Q output of one-shot 251 is coupled through gate 280 to the
clock input of the hopper bistable flip-flop 158 which causes its Q
output to go high to develop the hopper on signal. This signal
energizes the hopper motor to eject coins. As the coins are
dispensed, they pass a coin-out microswitch 292, shown in FIG. 4,
which toggles the bistable flip-flop 295. With the passage of each
coin, pulses appear at the Q output of bistable flip-flop 295 to
increment pay out counters 165 and 166, as well as the
electromechanical counter on the top display. This signal also goes
to several fail-safe circuits. Once the counters 165 and 166 are
incremented so as to have all binary one conditions at their
outputs, the next pulse comes through as a carry signal at the
carry output 166c of pay out counter 166 which is applied through
gate 280 to the bistable flip-flop 158 causing this flip-flop to be
toggled to the off condition. Because of this technique, the
counter had been previously set to one less than the actual pay out
when the carry pulse represents the last unit count of the pay out.
If the hopper attempts to output another coin the Q output of FF
295 enables gate 645. Gate 645, together with gate 646, senses all
zeros in counter 166 (in the three most significant bit positions),
to enable gate 647, creating an OVERPAY malfunction signal.
Counters 165 and 166 have a minus pay out insert and then count up
towards zero. However, a zero (0) count constitutes a full pay out
so that stepping to a "plus-one" (+1) count indicates an "over-pay"
condition.
If the hopper-coin-out microswitch 292 jams for 300 milliseconds,
one-shot multivibrator 175 will cause a blackout-hopper malfunction
through gates 301 and 302. Bistable flip-flop 70 (FIG. 4) is
triggered by an end reel drive signal through gates 152 and 153.
The hopper run sense signal enables gate 304 and the coin output
continually retriggers this stage by way of the Q output of
bistable flip-flop 295 applied to the other input of gate 304. Loss
of hopper current or a 5 second no coin output, i.e. the hopper is
jammed or empty, when the hopper is on (i.e. Q output of FF 158 is
high) will cause a blackout-hopper malfunction enabling gates 306
and 307. Also, if the hopper is still on (Q output of FF 158 high)
gate 307 will enable gate 302 to create the hopper malfunction
signal. In addition, if hopper motor current is sensed and one-shot
multivibrator 70 is not triggered, blackout hopper malfunction will
occur. These conditions are derived through gates 306, 307 and 301
which feed gate 302 for developing the hopper malfunction signal.
Gate 649 receives each up-count pulse applied to counter 165 to
step a coins paid counter 651.
When the hopper turns off, the Q output of bistable flip-flop 158
is applied through inverter 312 and gate 250 to one-shot
multivibrator 251 to initiate a 10 millisecond pulse. Since
bistable flip-flop 271 has been set by the Q output of the hopper
bistable flip-flop 158, gate 255 which is coupled to the output of
cross-coupled gated 272 enables gate 257 to couple the 10
millisecond pulse through the count down line to coin counter 28 to
decrement this counter and to retrigger one-shot multivibrator 154.
Whenever the hopper bistable 158 turns on, its Q output is coupled
to bistable flip-flop 87 (FIG. 4) to toggle this bistable
flip-flop. When the coin counter 28 (FIG. 2) goes to zero, this
condition is coupled through gates 330 and 331 to the remaining
input of gate 88 to illuminate the winner paid lamp 89.
In addition to the bonus (attendant pay) lamp, there are two levels
of jackpot which are picked up as a function of jumper wiring. The
outputs go to lamps and to the computer interfaces.
Information as to the various causes for failure is stored in
bistable flip-flop circuits shown in FIG. 3. Considering gate 122
of FIG. 3, blackout may be caused by a loose or improperly located
plug condition detected by the output of gate 402; a coin entry
failure derived from the Q output of bistable flip-flop 405, as
shown in FIG. 2, a reel drive failure derived from the Q output of
bistable flip-flop 406; a hopper failure derived from the Q output
of bistable flip-flop 407; a pay out failure derived from the Q
output of bistable flip-flop 408; a random generator failure
derived from the Q output of bistable flip-flop 120; a door open
condition derived from the Q output of bistable flip-flop 415; or a
one second test condition derived from the Q output of one-shot
multivibrator 416. Closing the door or applying power to the
machine starts the one second test period. For example, when power
is applied, one-shot multivibrator 416 is triggered through gate 37
and gates 418 and 419 to begin the one second test. Door closure
activates a microswitch 420 to set bistable flip-flop 415 whose
output is coupled to gate 419 thereby triggering one-shot
multivibrator 416 to begin a 1 second test. The one second test
causes the Q output of one-shot 416 to go high. Gate 422 develops a
test reset signal which is applied as a clear input signal at the
clear inputs 406a, 407a and 408a of bistable flip-flops 406-408
respectively. If the malfunction condition is still present, the
appropriate flip-flop will again set immediately after the 1 second
test again causing a failure condition.
The plug connectors P (FIG. 6c) of each reel assembly and the
hopper connector are uniquely wired so as to complete a circuit
with their receptacles 680a-680d. When properly assembled the
completed circuit path places a low level on the input of inverter
402. The output of inverter 402 goes high. This state drives the
output of gate 450 high to extinguish the "loose plug" LED 460. In
the event that any of the hopper or reel assembly plugs are loose,
or if the reel assemblies have not been replaced in their correct
arrangement, LED 460 is lit. The output of gate 402, which is low
at this time, is further connected to the inputs of gate 122 and
one stage of counter 490 to respectively create a BLACKOUT signal
and storing the loose plug condition in the polling register
490.
The above listed eight conditions plus the conditions of "reel
touch" and "ready" are routed to a light emitting diode (LED)
display contained within the machine housing 11 (FIG. 1). As soon
as the 1 second period is terminated, the next master clock pulse
is applied through gate 440 to each of the clock inputs of bistable
flip-flops 406-408 and 441 to load the malfunction condition into
the respective one or ones of these bistable flip-flops which cause
gate 122 to develop the blackout condition which cause a respective
one of the gates 442-450 to illuminate the appropriate LED 451-460
respectively. The blackout condition turns off all coin lamps as
can best be seen from FIG. 1 wherein the blackout signal is applied
through gate 470 to each of the coin lamp gates 473-477 to
extinguish the lamps of lamp group 62. This information, however,
is not lost. The blackout condition further forces the static clamp
of bistable flip-flop 25 into the on condition through gates 24 and
26 to apply a signal to the clear input 25a of bistable flip-flop
25. This prevents the machine from being played, prevents any coin
entries, and turns malfunction lamp 482 on. Noting FIG. 2, the
blackout signal is applied to one input of gate 483 whose other
input receives a low frequency signal from oscillator 484 to flash
lamp 482 which is positioned behind the top display panel 15 (FIG.
1). The coins paid counter, however, is not reset.
All status, malfunction and counter information is presented to a
multi-bit parallel entry register 490, shown in FIG. 3. As was
described hereinabove, the coin-in strobe pulses of step counter 65
to develop a count representative of the number of coins deposited
in the machine. Counter 491 receives a coin-in chute pulse to
develop a count representative of the coins deposited in the drop
box. The outputs of counters 65 and 491 and the inputs to each of
the gates 442-450 are applied to selected stages of the multi-stage
shift register 490. In addition, the conditions of jackpot #1,
jackpot #2, bonus pay, power fail delayed, door opened delayed,
blackout and blackout/option conditions are applied to the
remaining inputs of shift register 490. The particular address of
the slot machine is decoded by logical circuitry 497. The computer
polls each machine by placing the address of each machine on the
line to which the machines are daisy-chained. The decoder 497
operates to alter the level on the SHIFT/LOAD line 498. This line
is normally at the LOAD level, enabling whatever appears at the
inputs of shift registers 490-490d to be loaded into these
registers.
When the address of the machine is decoded at 497, the level on
line 498 changes to the SHIFT level causing all inputs loaded into
490-490d to be frozen. The computer then removes the clock inhibit
level from line 498a allowing the pulses applied by the
computerclock source on line 499 to shift the contents of register
490-490d to the right and into the line 490e coupled to the
computer. After all the data has been transferred to the computer,
the computer loads it in its memory and puts the address of the
next machine on the input line to all of the machine decoders 497,
whereupon the next machine transfers its data to the computer in a
similar fashion. The computer then is free to manipulate, display
and/or print out pertinent data.
* * * * *